Maternity leave essentials? (Or desirables)

[Mylittlerainbow]

DP has asked me to write a Christmas list - DSD wrote hers this weekend and he says he hasn't got a clue what to get me this year.

Only thing is, nor do I! By Xmas I will be 7 months pregnant and plan to go on mat leave end of Jan, so we were thinking that some practical (or just desirable) bits that I can use when I'm off either before or when baby gets here would be nice.

My thoughts are along the lines of:

• fancy bubble bath/bath bombs so I can make the most of an extended bubble bath before baby arrives
• a new reusable coffee cup for when I take baby & dog out for a walk
• maybe a new hot water bottle for pre/post labour tummy cramps

I'm not very imaginative and have never had maternity leave before, so would love to hear from experience, what would you have liked/loved or what couldn't you have lived without?

Some cute matching mother and baby outfits would be nice if you’re into that!

A photoshoot for you with bump and then again when baby is born, these usually come as a package deal.

Kindle so you can read while you feed the baby? Stylish change bag?

I've been debating a kindle as I'm normally more of a 'real book' person but I think I need to get with the times. It would probably come in very handy!

Also I like the idea of a photo shoot I hadn't thought of that

A really nice rucksack you can use as a change bag, much more practical as it keeps your hands free.

Kindle or ipad for reading or watching programmes.

Membership to NT/English Heritage if local so you have somewhere you can go for a mooch or a walj with the baby? I did a lot of walking around art galleries with DS in a sling as it gave me somewhere to go.

Gift vouchers for coffee shops or even baby activities you could do (ie a term of swimming lessons/baby sensory/baby massage). Not essentials but nice if they want to get you and baby something to get you out the house.

Nice loungewear. I had two light knitted sets that were as comfy as pyjamas but that I also didn't mind seeing my mum and the midwife and other close people in when they visited.

Gift vouchers for hair cuts, or to get eye brows or lashes done. Things you want to feel like you when baby is here but never seem to justify paying for (I found this to be the case anyway).
Maybe the promise of some new clothes when baby comes as well?

A pregnancy spa treatment for as soon as you go on mat leave- best thing I did for all the end of pregnancy aches and pains.

Kindle- so good to have
Netflix if you don't already have it or box sets of your favourite tv shows for snuggling in and feeding.

A cleaner?
A freezer full of preped meals that you can easily heat up for yourself when his paternity leave ends.

Written promise that he will do 50% of child care/ house work with out complaining how tired he is from work etc. Just because you are on mat leave doesn't mean alll house work becomes your responsibility.

Nice slippers for padding around the maternity ward in.

I like the idea of membership to a NT place. It's not really for DC at that age but I liked having somewhere that I could go for a walk regularly with the pram and becoming a 'regular' at the coffee shop was nice when you're a bit short of grown up company.

Other ideas might be a Contigo travel mug for making a cup of tea that stays hot for several hours whilst feeding, a cosy dressing gown for late nights, a DVD box set if you don't have Netflix/Sky, a good coffee machine or a pair of warm, comfortable boots for lots of walking with the pram.

Yes to kindle! So good to hold one handed and saves your place.

An extra long mobile phone lead

If you are hoping to breastfeed, the B shirts are good.

A reusable water bottle is good too

And yes to a Kindle Paperwhite - I wouldn't go back to 'proper' books now. And an iPad/tablet if you don't have one.

iPad. It is, without a shadow of doubt or hesitation, the most useful thing I had. When I was stuck breastfeeding on the sofa I could do the Tesco online shopping so we didn't starve! I could read books, watch Netflix, google illness etc.
I was a 'real book' lover too, but when I spent time in a dark room breast feeding at night it was so so so much better as I didn't need a light on.

Honestly. Netflix (or similar) and an iPad!

New dressing gown in a dark colour. Even if you have one already a spare is very necessary for when you get blood/waters/puke/poo on yours. Even with a spare I ended up going to hospital In dp’s one!

Adding to the people backing a kindle - I’m a lover of “real books” too but a kindle is a lot easier to balance in one hand while feeding a baby.

Subscription to a streaming service you don’t already have - Netflix/Amazon Prime/Now TV/Apple TV (slightly embarrassed to say I have all four - I am on maternity leave though!)

NT membership if you live close to a few. I basically live in them!

DP got me EarPods towards the end of my pregnancy so I can listen to podcasts/music/call family without my phone attached to me, as I now have a baby attached to me instead. They've come in so handy since having my DD - pushing the pram and chatting on the phone is no problem, sitting feeding the baby listening to a podcast is easy...it was a great gift!

Thanks everyone some really good ideas here! Things I didn't even think of, for example, I have a lovely light grey dressing gown, and never even thought of how impractical that is, a dark dressing gown is deffo on the list! Also loving the 'things to do' suggestions as I already know I will go stir crazy if I'm stuck at home all day everyday.

Dressing gown/slippers to keep you warm when you are having to get up at silly o clock to see to the baby.

Loungewear - to fill the gap between 'can't be bothered to get dressed but still wanting to look presentable'

Kindle
Ear plugs (wireless)
Netflix or Spotify subscription
Pregnancy massage voucher
Mani-pedi voucher
Snuggly blanket